Three days later, the cloud boat, traveling at full speed, finally arrived above Alchemy City.
Naturally, this is yet another dawn.
Come to think of it, all memories of Alchemy City seem to be associated with either dusk or dawn.
Because only this pair of similar yet completely different times is when heaven and earth are all gilded, as if gold were dissolved in mercury, so that everything in the world would be plated with a layer of gold.
This is gilded.
It is golden and noble.
It is both fluid and silent.
"It seems like it's been half a year since we last came here," Yun Wei couldn't help but sigh.
He was gazing down at the increasingly prosperous city below, and not far away, the Durand River, still unfrozen, resembled a winding, flowing river of golden liquid.
Isaac nodded and began to maneuver the aircraft down. "Yes, time really flies."
Yun Wei glanced back at his knight and quietly pursed his lips.
In his world, university physics courses invariably taught relativity. This is how a great scientist named Einstein introduced it to the public—
"You sit on a park bench with a pretty girl for an hour, but it feels like only a minute has passed;"
"You can sit right next to a fire for a minute, but it will feel like an hour. That's the theory of relativity."
He remembered this incident very clearly because he had once burned a book on the subject for use as a source of warmth during the winter.
Even if he couldn't understand the subsequent inferences and formulas, he could still remember such metaphors.
Time flies when you spend it with someone you like.
...
They had already obtained Alchemy City cards at the beginning, so they didn't need to queue and went directly through the VIP lane.
When Manglin Liujin saw Yunwei, he was so surprised that his jaw almost dropped to the ground.
"oh--"
The other person exclaimed in surprise, the long, drawn-out tone sounding like an exaggerated aria.
Anyone who saw someone come back from the dead appear before them would probably react with even more astonishment than this.
But Yun Wei certainly wouldn't explain to each of them; he simply took the cards from the other person's fingers.
He pulled his hood up, took a few steps, then suddenly turned back and winked playfully at the officials who were still standing there, "Hello, Mr. Manglin. Long time no see!"
The changes in Alchemy City are visible to the naked eye.
But the most obvious change was not the streetscape transformed with the help of the magician, nor the ubiquitous and more lifelike alchemical tools, but the expressions on the faces of the artisans and apprentices coming and going.
No longer numb, repressed, or bitter, but calm, content, and full of energy.
The once wealthy but lifeless city has come back to life, becoming thriving and full of vitality.
Even as winter approaches, the gloom that had been obscuring the sun has dispelled from the city's skies, allowing the golden morning light to fall like rain.
Yun Wei couldn't help but tighten his grip on Isaac's hand; their fingers were already intertwined. "Isaac, in the future, our Reston should also be as vibrant as Alchemy City."
“Okay, definitely. I’ll be the first to support you,” Isaac chuckled.
Everything in the world is getting better.
Isn't that right?
...
It doesn't seem so.
Yun Wei realized this as soon as he stood in front of the Xi De mansion.
The one who answered the door was the apprentice Joseph. Half a year had passed, and this diligent young man was almost at the threshold of becoming a great magician.
However, the other person looked very tired.
Even though he was quite surprised when he saw Yun Wei, he couldn't hide it.
"Mr. Yun, please wait a moment. I'll go and call Master Sid right away."
The other person turned and strode quickly toward the laboratory, without closing the door behind them. Yun Wei couldn't help but exchange a glance with Isaac, their eyes filled with a thoughtful concern.
Soon, Master Sid also arrived at the door.
The other person moved their lips and said in surprise, "Little Yun Wei... My God, you're still alive!"
Six months later, Master Sid has become even more like a leader.
It's an aura that emanates from every gesture, so important that it cannot be easily ignored even if the other person does nothing.
However, the other person was still wearing the same gold-rimmed glasses, and behind the lenses were still those wise and intelligent eyes.
Looking into those familiar emerald eyes, Yun Wei was also moved. "It's a long story, but luckily I was fortunate. By the way, where's Silver?"
He immediately realized the problem.
The Grand Duke of Bethlehem, who was almost inseparable from Master Sid, was nowhere to be seen at this moment.
Hearing his words, Sid lowered his eyes. "He went to town on business. Don't stand at the door, come in. I told you, there's a room that's always reserved for you."
As he spoke, Sid turned around.
Instead of heading towards the laboratory, the other person went towards the stairs.
Yun Wei quickly gave Isaac a wink, and her husband nodded slightly and replied with a smile, "I'll help tidy up the garden first, and then I'll stay in the sword practice room."
He was relieved and quickly chased after Sid.
Sure enough, when he went up to the second floor, he saw Master Sid enter the study, obviously having something to say to him.
Yun Wei stood at the door and glanced around the study. He noticed that even the usually tidy desk was a mess.
Clearly, the owner was in an unusually bad mood, which had probably been going on for some time.
Yun Wei's mood immediately darkened.
He imagined all sorts of terrible possibilities in his mind and silently closed the door.
Sid was standing by the window, staring blankly at the courtyard.
Yun Wei gritted his teeth and asked bluntly, "What exactly happened? I'm sorry, Sid, I'm not good at beating around the bush. If you could, could you tell me?"
Sid did not answer.
The study was quiet and lonely, and Yun Wei looked at the other person's thin shoulders with great heartache.
In the long silence, the other person slowly turned around, their eyes red.
It was clear that she was very sad, and after trying to suppress it, she ultimately failed.
Sid didn't answer his question, but instead asked in a low voice, "Little Yunwei, may I hug you?"
Yun Wei was taken aback.
He immediately spread his arms wide. "Of course. Come on, Sid."
Having received permission, Master Sid suddenly lunged into his arms.
The other person held him very tightly.
Within that force, Yun Wei discerned many of the other person's emotions.
Feeling wronged, depressed, confused, sad...
He could only suppress his unease, quietly patting the other's thin back, and whispered:
"It's alright, you still have me. I'll help you, Sid..."
"Let's think of a solution together..."
"It's alright, it's alright..."
Yun Wei's voice was low and husky, and his whispers seemed to have a magical quality.
Sid finally calmed down.
He sniffed sheepishly, gently patted the slightly taller little mage, and then let go of his arm. "Sorry, you saw me looking so bad again."
Yun Wei gently shook his head and said, "No, you are much stronger than me. I often cry uncontrollably regardless of the occasion. In fact, the only thing I might do is weep in front of Her Majesty Catherine."
Upon hearing Yun Wei mention that shrewd and capable monarch, Xi De was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter through his tears, "Haha, if she knew that we were actually like this, she would definitely kick us out of the palace."
Yun Wei nodded in deep agreement, “That’s right, we’ll definitely be extremely disliked. Speaking of which, shouldn’t we be considered colleagues now? It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellency Grand Duke Liujin. I am Yun Wei, Duke of Bingquehua.”
As he spoke, he laboriously performed a less-than-perfect aristocratic bow.
Upon seeing this, Sid immediately shook his head and pointed out without any politeness: "The angle of your thumb and forefinger is not right. You have to imagine that if you were holding a sword to meet His Majesty, the blade of the sword should be parallel to your upper body."
As he spoke, he also gave Yun Wei the same salute.
With a gentle flutter of her sleeves, her figure moved gracefully.
He nodded and frowned, his demeanor elegant and graceful.
To be honest, Yun Wei felt a little tempted in that instant.
Cough, no, I mean admire!
It's the same move, but Master Sid makes it so elegant!
Looking at himself, he realized that he wasn't burly at all, yet he acted like a bear.
No wonder His Majesty always turned to talk to the eunuch whenever he came to court; it turns out…
It's unbearable to look at?
Yun Wei, finally realizing the gap between them, was immediately on the verge of tears.
He nodded and did as instructed, "I see. No wonder I could never get it right. I've learned a lot, Master Sid."
The two looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
Sid walked to the desk and sat down before saying, "Actually, it's not a big deal."
"Me and him..."
"They had a fight."
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